Designed for dynamic, light footed daily outdoor missions, the Oboz Helium blends trail-running burliness with running-contempo good looks for a worry free do-everything.
We tested both the men’s and women’s models extensively with positive results all around.
They’re good for travel because they work well for road, trail and sand. An extremely grippy outsole with 4mm lugs is designed for trail hiking and running. The one-piece mesh upper is breathable and fast drying. Importantly, the tongue is held in place by elastic, adding to a nearly seamless one-piece upper, and there’s a neoprene-esque collar that makes them great for wearing without socks, if that’s your thing, and helps keep debris out.
Laser welds on the upper add to both the light weight and sleekness, and the good looks, of this hybrid.
Sturdy, removable insoles give good arch support off the shelf. The canted outsole lets the foot roll more easily. These versatile runners are very lightweight, almost to the point you’ll forget you’re wearing them — and they’re stylish enough for road races and durable enough for trail. In short, they do exactly what they’re supposed to do.
Oboz creates outdoor footwear inspired by the environs surrounding the company’s Bozeman, Montana, home. Oboz shoes—debuting in stores back in 2008—are designed to “have meaningful innovation, steadfast performance and recognizable quality and durability.” Oboz plants a tree forevery pair of shoes it sells through Trees for the Future (www.treesftf.org), an international organization that improves livelihoods in communities around the world through beneficial tree planting. MSRP: $120.00
